Handbag holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for a handbag for use in hanging the handbag in suspended position from a table, counter, shelf or the like and including a clamp-like member to which a surface engaging arm is pivotally joined at one end thereof and a bag support portion is pivotally joined to another end thereof, the arm and support portion being movable from a closed to an open position for mounting the holder on a horizontal surface wherein the handbag is suspended from the holder in a stored position.

United States Patent 1191 Berardinelli et al.

[ HANDBAG HOLDER [75] Inventors: John D. Berardinelli, 57 Eldridge St., Cranston; Paul R. Goulart, Johnston, both of R.I.

[73] Assignee: said Berardinelli, by said Goulart [22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 388,120

[52] U.S. Cl. 248/308, 24/230.5 R, 248/205 R [51] Int. Cl. A47f 5/00 [58] Field of Search 248/205 R, 307, 308, 304,

248/215, 339, 340; 24/2305 R, 230.5 SS

1111 3,860,210 Jan. 14, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,051,301 1/1954 France 248/2l5 Primary Exa-minerJ. Franklin Foss Attorney, Agent, or FirmSalter & Michaelson [57] ABSTRACT A holder for a handbag for use in hanging the handbag in suspended position from a table, counter, shelf or the like and including a clamp-like member to which a surface engaging arm is pivotally joined at one end thereof and a bag support portion is pivotally joined to another end thereof, the arm and support portion being movable from a closed to an open position for mounting the holder on a horizontal surface wherein the handbag is suspended from the holder in a stored position. 1

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HANDBAG HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for locating a womans handbag beneath a table, counter or the like in a suspended, stored position so as to remove the handbag from the table or counter and to provide a convenient means for temporarily disposing of the handbag while the owner is seated at the table or counter.

Devices for suspending handbags from tables, counters and other horizontal surfaces have been utilized heretofore and have normally taken the form of a clamp or the like that is permanently fixed to the edge of a counter or shelf. This kind of clamp thus formed a permanent part of the table, counter or shelf and was not portable for use in other locations. Although these prior known fixtures or clamps served the purpose intended, they could only be mounted on certain kinds of equipment; and in many locations it was not always feasible to mount a clamp under the table or on a side edge thereof; and thus, when a woman was seated at such a table or counter, she either had to place her handbag on the counter, in her lap or on the floor.

Some prior known devices have also been utilized for suspending a handbag from a counter or the like that were carried as part of the handbag and joined thereto by a chain or similar article. However, these devices were also found to be impractical in use since they required special accessories and were relatively costly to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable holder for suspending a handbag from a horizontal surface such as a table, counter top or shelf and includes a clamp having parallel end portions to which a surface engaging arm and a bag support element are pivotally connected. In a normal, inoperative position of the holder, the surface engaging arm and bag support element are folded such that they cooperate with the main body portion of the clamp to form an enclosed construction that enables the holder to be conveniently mounted on the strap of the handbag. When the holder is to be utilized for suspending the handbag from a table or counter top, the arm and support element are pivotally moved to the open position thereof, the arm cooperating with an adjacent end portion of the holder for engaging a horizontal surface and mounting the holder in place thereon. The bag support element has a hook configuration formed thereon; and when the support element is pivoted to the open position thereof, it cooperates with the adjacent end portion of the clamp for receiving the strap of the handbag thereon. The holder is easily movable from the closed to the open position for mounting on the table top or counter for locating the handbag in suspended position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable holder for suspending a handbag from a horizontal surface such as a counter top, table or shelf.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable holder for a handbag having a clamp configuration and including a main body portion to which a bag support element and surface engaging arm are pivotally joined, the support element and arm being movable from a closed to an open position when the portable holder is mounted on a horizontal surface for suspending a handbag therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a portable holder for suspending a handbag from a horizontal surface and that is normally located in a closed position such that the holder can be carried on a strap of the handbag, the holder including pivotally mounted elements that are moved from the closed to an open position when the holder is mounted on a horizontal surface for suspending the handbag therefrom.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2,.

but showing the holder in the open position thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the holder in the closed position; I

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the holder in the open position; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the holder in the open position and as mounted on a table for suspending a handbag therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 1, the portable holder as embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10;,and, as shown, the

portable holder 10 is mountedon a strap l2 of a wom ans handbag indicated at 14. As will be described, the portable holder 10 is located in a closed position, and in this position is detachably mountable on the strap 12 of the handbag 14 for easy access thereto. The purpose of the portable holder 10 is for suspending the handbag 14 from a table, counter, shelf or the like; and for this purpose, the holder is movable from the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to an open position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the portable holder 10 is defined by a C-shaped member generally indicated at 16 that includes a central portion 18 to which end portions 20 and 22 are integrally joined and that are disposed in perpendicular relation with respect thereto. Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the end portion 22 is a surface engaging arm 24, a spring hinge 26 of conventional type interconnecting the arm 24 to the end portion 22, and the hinge 26 being of the spring type that provides for location of the arm 24 in a positive open or closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the arm 24 is disposed in the folded or closed position and as such is located at right angles with respect to the end portion 22 and in spaced, parallel relation relative to the central portion 18.

As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm 24 has a modified circular configuration, wherein the surface area thereof is increased relative to the lateral dimension of the end portion 22. The increased surface area of the arm 24 provides for better contact thereof with a horizontal surface when the holder is placed thereon.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a bag support element 28 is pivotally interconnected to the end portion 20 through a spring hinge 30. The bag support element includes a hook portion 32 that in the closed position thereof is located within the confines of the opposed end portions 20 and 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2. As will be further described, the hook portion 32 is utilized to prevent the strap 12 of the bag 14 from sliding outwardly of the bag support element 28 when the holder is in the position of use on a table, counter or the like.

As described above, it may be desirable to carry the holder on the strap 12 of the handbag 14. For this purpose, the arm 24 and support element 28 are folded to the closed position thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and capture the strap 12 therebetween and between the end portions and 22 and the central portion 18 of the holder. Since the arm 24 and the support element 28 are located closely adjacent to each other in the folded or closed positions thereof, the holder as defined is enclosed on the strap 12 and can be carried thereby.

When it is desired to utilize the holder 10, such as when the person carrying the handbag 14 is seated at a table, counter or the like and wishes to temporarily dispose of-the handbag, the arm 24 and the bag support element 28 are folded or pivoted outwardly to the open positions thereof as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this position, the arm 24 is substantially aligned with the end portion 22 of the member 16 and is contiguous therewith so as to form a substantially continuous surface, the hinge 26 being constructed such that the arm 24 is maintained in a positive open position. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder is placed on a horizontal surface such as a table top or counter 34, the underside of the arm 24 and end portion 22 being located in engaging relation with the upper horizontal surface of the-table top or counter. With the holder located as illustrated in N66, the end portion 20 and the bag support element 28 projected beneath the table or counter top 34 in an out-of-the-way position. The strap 12 of the handbag is then placed over the bag support element 28 and the adjacent end portion 20 andis supported thereby. The hook portion 32which prevents the strap 12 from inadvertently sliding off of the bag support element provides a positive stop for locating the handbag in suspended position from the bag holder. It is seen that when it is desired to remove the handbag from the suspended position, the holder is moved outwardly of the counter or table top 34 and the arm 24 and the bag support element 28 are then pivotally returned to the closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, thereby clamping the holder on the strap 12. If desired, the

holder can be removed from the strap 12 and placed inside the handbag for carrying therein.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable holder for suspending a handbag from a horizontal surface, comprising a clamp member formed in substantially a C-configuration defined by a central portion to which opposed end portions are joined at right angles thereto, a surface engaging arm pivotally connected to one end portion and being normally located in a closed position relative to said clamp member, wherein it is parallel to said central portion and perpendicular to the end portion to which it is joined, and being pivotally movable to an open position, wherein it is parallel to the end portion to which it is joined and is disposed in substantially aligned contiguous relation therewith for location on said horizontal surface in engaging relation, and a bag support element pivotally joined to the other end portion and being normally located in a closed position relative to said clamp member wherein it is parallel to said central portion and perpendicular to the end portion to which it is joined, the arm and support element being folded inwardly toward each other in the closed position and cooperating with the clamp member to form a compact unit, said support element being pivotally movable to an open position wherein it is parallel to the end portion to which it is joined and is disposed in substantially aligned contiguous relation therewith for location below the horizontal surface when the arm is in engagement with said surface so as to receive a strap of the handbag thereover for suspending the handbag from said horizontal surface. I

2. A portable holder as claimed in claim 1, a hook portion integrally joined to said bag support element at the outermost end thereof and being movable therewith to the handbag supporting position to form a stop for preventing the handbag from sliding outwardly of the bag support element when the holder is in the position of use.

3. A portable holder as claimed in claim 2, a first spring hinge pivotally interconnecting said arm to the end portion to which it is joined, and a second spring hinge pivotally interconnecting said bag support element to the end portion to which it is joined, wherein said arm and support element are pivotally movable to a positive open or closed position. =i= 

1. A portable holder for suspending a handbag from a horizontal surface, comprising a clamp member formed in substantially a Cconfiguration defined by a central portion to which opposed end portions are joined at right angles thereto, a surface engaging arm pivotally connected to one end portion and being normally located in a closed position relative to said clamp member, wherein it is parallel to said central portion and perpendicular to the end portion to which it is joined, and being pivotally movable to an open position, wherein it is parallel to the end portion to which it is joined and is disposed in substantially aligned contiguous relation therewith for location on said horizontal surface in engaging relation, and a bag support element pivotally joined to the other end portion and being normally located in a closed position relative to said clamp member wherein it is parallel to said central portion and perpendicular to the end portion to which it is joined, the arm and support element being fOlded inwardly toward each other in the closed position and cooperating with the clamp member to form a compact unit, said support element being pivotally movable to an open position wherein it is parallel to the end portion to which it is joined and is disposed in substantially aligned contiguous relation therewith for location below the horizontal surface when the arm is in engagement with said surface so as to receive a strap of the handbag thereover for suspending the handbag from said horizontal surface.
 2. A portable holder as claimed in claim 1, a hook portion integrally joined to said bag support element at the outermost end thereof and being movable therewith to the handbag supporting position to form a stop for preventing the handbag from sliding outwardly of the bag support element when the holder is in the position of use.
 3. A portable holder as claimed in claim 2, a first spring hinge pivotally interconnecting said arm to the end portion to which it is joined, and a second spring hinge pivotally interconnecting said bag support element to the end portion to which it is joined, wherein said arm and support element are pivotally movable to a positive open or closed position. 